The chemical digestion of food is dependent on a whole range of hydrolase enzymes produced mostly by the cells lining the gut as
well as other associated organs such as the pancreas, salivary glands, stomach, liver and small intestine. The end goal is to break large food molecules into very much smaller building block units or monomers. These can then be readily absorbed through the into the bloodstream for transport to the liver and from there to other parts of the body. Enzymes are both pH and temperature specific. Seen here are the reaction rates of three common digestive enzymes. Based on the data, which enzyme(s) require(s) the addition of HCl for optimum activity?
Digestion may be defined as the process of break down of large food particles into the simpler substance. The digestive enzymes and digestive juices are required for digestion process.
Humans stomach has highly acidic pH. The highly acidic environment is important for the conversion of zymogens into the active enzyme. Pepsin is important that is activated by the acidic environment from the pepsinogen. Pepsin helps in the digestion of proteins.
The enzyme that is present within the stomach and the lining of the muscular gland, would function optimally in high H+ concentration and would require much HCl needed for an appropriate pH environment to function
